Dirk Dreamer - Freshman Year

We're at Pinenut Plaza Dorms on Pleasantview's Sim State Uni campus. 

The well-dressed young man who has just arrived here is of course no other than Dirk Dreamer, whom we have just seen leaving his home, his Dad and his teenage years behind in old Pleasantview. 

He knows that doing well at college will help towards fulfilling his lifetime want of becoming a City Planner one day. 

He is not the only playable student here. Also just starting their Freshman year are Brittany Love, a former class mate and friend of Dustin Broke (as can be seen here), whose room is next to hers on the ground floor. She was an NPC teen working as a shop clerk in town, and so I sent her here to become playable because of her surname.

Dustin, sitting at a table with Brittany, has changed his hairstyle since the picture for his door was taken, as you can see!

The last of the four rooms on the ground floor is taken by Sullivan Kim, an NPC student who I plan to make playable, too, because of his surname. For now, he'll make friends with the other playables here so that one of them can move him in when the time comes. 

Before he even knows what subject he wants to major in, Dirk wishes to write his Term Paper, and so he sits down at the computer in the downstairs common room right on his first day here. (I forgot to have his Dad give him Mr. Humble's computer as a good-bye gift when he left for college.)

One last spell check, and with a satisfied sigh he clicks "send".

Brittany sets the sprinkler in the cafeteria going "just for fun" - something I have not yet seen a playable Sim do on their own accord!

Mail from home!
"Dear Son,
I hope you are doing well and enjoy student life. I am happy to tell you that I have sold another painting at a good price and am now thinking about some careful improvement or other around the house.
Love & hugs,
Dad."

When I have Dustin and Dirk "scope room", both find Brittany "hot", but strangely enough neither shows any chemistry bolts for her.

Dirk is used to doing the necessary jobs around house and garden without being asked to, and he doesn't mind at all raking the leaves on such a beautiful autumn afternoon before going to class.

That evening, over their bowls of Mac & Cheese at the cafeteria he advises Brittany: "You know, if you leave deciding on your major too late, they'll put you into Philosophy, whether you like it or not," he says, and adds: "I have declared mine in Economics today."

While Dirk had rolled precious few (none at all, I think!) wishes about his girlfriend Angela Pleasant when he was still a teenager, he now wants to chat to her on the phone, invite her over and have her come to college as well. 

He does indeed invite her over the next day, and she is accompanied by Mortimer Goth who wants to check out the dorm on behalf of his son, Alexander, who might move here before long.

With their end-of-term exams looming, Dirk, Brittany and Sullivan calm their nerves with a round of jogging.

Well-rested (as much as that's possible in those cheapest of beds their dorm rooms are furnished with) and fuelled with syrup-dripping pancakes, all three return from their exams with A+ grades, their names on the Dean's List and the full grant money of 1,200 Simoleons each.

A comfortable bed, bedside table, lamp and wardrobe are now in our three playable Freshmen's rooms.
As before, Dirk wishes to write his Term Paper immediately, and sets to work, as does Brittany. Surprisingly, while last term Dustin wanted to (and did) influence someone else to write his paper for him, this time around he wants to see whether he can't even do it better himself.

Another letter from Darren!
"Dear Son,
Thank you for letting me know about your A+ grade, name on the Dean's List and the student grant you have received. You know our financial situation and can imagine how relieved I am that your hard work has earned you not just the respect but also the monetary support of the college administration.
Keep up the good work!
Love & hugs,
Dad."

Dirk will also tell his Dad that he has taken to the easel himself - not really expecting to completely follow Darren's artistic calling, but at least gaining more of an understanding of why he chose this path in life instead of a "proper" career.
"What lines! What colours! What talent!!" the over-enthusiastic cheerleader exclaims at the sight of Dirk's first tentative scribbles on the canvas.

On one of those golden autumn afternoons, when Dustin and Brittany return from class and Dirk has a couple of hours before he has to go to his, the three of them walk to Chestnut Park (which by rights should be called Birch Park, since there is not a single chestnut in sight, but several birch trees).

Many students are taking advantage of the sunny afternoon and meet at the park for a chat, have a BBQ or do their assignments.
When it begins to rain and it's almost time for Dirk to go to class, the three friends leave.

Much to my surprise, upon re-entering the dorm lot, Dirk sports a new hairstyle!
Well, it's obviously his own choice, and so I leave him with his new look.

It is now cold enough for the students to put on warmer layers, as does Dirk when he once again rakes the leaves around the dorm.

All that fresh air and exercise has made him tired, and he enjoys an afternoon nap in the upstairs common room while two of his dorm mates quietly study and talk. 

Later, he throws some darts with Dustin.

And before they know it, their Freshman Year is over!

Of course, all three have done very well with A+ grades, their names on the Dean's List and the full grants. Darren will be justly pleased with and proud of his son.

I quite enjoyed this "year" at the dorm.

The three playables were easy to look after and got along well.

There were no spontaneous crushes among them, or with the NPC students.

Several more Pleasantview teenagers are waiting in the wings to start college,

but I don't know yet who'll be next to join the three here.